Semiautomatic trip for power shovels



Jan. 10,, 1928. 1,655,623

4 e, G. MORIN I SEMIAUTOMATIC TRIP FOR POWER SHQVELS Filed Feb. 24. 1926 4 sneets sheet 1 1 Q INVENTOR WITNESSES G907 (kMOTb ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,623

-' e. s. MORIN SEMIAUTOMATIG TRIP FOR POWER SHOVELS Filed Feb. 24. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwmmssl wk INVENTOR i Gear 66%.71707707 M4 fy W ATTORNEYS 4 Sheet S -Sheet 5 G. c; MORIN SEMIAUTOMATIC TRIP FOR POWER SHOVELS Filed Feb. 2 1926 ATTORNEYS WITmssEs M' Jan. 10, 1928.

1,655,623 G. G. MORIN 'SEMIAUI'OMATIC TRIP FOR POWERSHOVELS I Filed Feb. 24. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FEE- ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

enonen G. Monm, or actions, MASSACHUSETTS.

SEMIA'UTOMATIC TRIP FOR POWER SHOVELS.

Application filed February 24,1926. Serial No. 90,373.

I This invention relates to an improved smni-zmtomatic trip for power shovels and has for an object to provide an improved construction which is an improvement over Serial No. 41,744, filed lever but may trip the shovel at any time during the movement of the lever or when the lever is stationary.

Another object of the inventionis to pro vide semi-automatic trip for power shovels wherein a winding mechanism is operated during the use of a rack and gear, the structure being such that the shock produced by the movement of the rack will be readily cushioned so that no strain or 1erking action will result. r

A further object, more specifically, is the provision of an improved cushioning rack for use in winding the tripping the structure being such that the rack is readily guided into mesh with the gear without shock.'

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary View inoutllne of a power shovel with an embodiment of the invention applied thereto.

Figure2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the bucket shown in Figure 1 and associated parts, illustrating how the catch is mounted.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Figure 1, approxlmately on line 33.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Figure 3 on line H.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through Fig ure 4 on line 5-5. p g

' Figure 6 is an enlarged detail fragmentary perspective view showing one of the cam plates illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail fragmentary sectional view through Figure 3 on line 7-7.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through Figure 3 on line 8-8.

Figure 9 is an end view of the structure shown in Figure 8.

Figure'lO is a sectional view through Figure 8 on line 10-10, i

and pinion cables and power shovels,

Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through Figure 4 on line 11'l1- Figure 12 is a fragmentary view showing in elevation the control lever and associated parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 13- is a sidevlew of the lever shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Figure 8, approximately on line 1 1'4.

Figure 15 .is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the parts in a difierent position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 .indicates the supporting frame of a power shovel, which frame supports a suitablehouse or cab 2 in which certain mechanism is mounted, as for instance, the boiler used in supplying the steam to the engine for shifting the boom 3 and for causing a proper action of the bucket 4. The bucket 4 is moved inwardly and outwardly through the action of an engine structure 5 operating through certain gears 6 and associated parts, said engine structure being supplied and deprived of steam as the rod 7 is moved back and forth. This structure, and in fact all the structure described, is old and well known.

The bucket 4 is provided with a hinged bottom 8 of any desired structure and is held closed by a reciprocating latch 9 pivotally connected with the lever 10, which lever is pivotally mounted at 11. A chain or cable 12 is connected to the outer end of lever 10 and connected to the actuating lever 13 near the center, said actuating lever being 'pivotally mounted at 14 on the member 15 which carries the bucket. A spring 16 isconncctedwith lever 13 and with some part of the bucket 1 so that lever 13 will normally be held against operating the latch 9, even though there is a. slight pull thereon caused by the trip cable 17. After each operationof the trip cable, spring 16 functions to move the lever 13 whereby the latch 9 may freely function to lock the bottom 8 closed. The detail construction of the latch 9 and associated parts forms no part of the present invention except the combination of the spring for turning the lever 13.

i The release cable 17 passes over suitable pulleys or guides 18 and has the end thereof wound on thedrum 19, which drum may be of any desired construction, as for instance. a double flanged-drum rigidly secured to the ill ' but will shaft 20, which shaft at the opposite end of the frame 21 is connected to a coil spring 22. One end of the coil spring 22 is connected to frame 21 by a suitable pin 23 whereby the spring 22 acts to rewind the cable 17 on drum 19 whenever permitted to do so and acts to maintain atension on the drum so that the cable 17 will always be under tension. The winding of the cable on drum 19 is caused principally through, the action of rack 24 and associated parts hereinafter fully described. After these members have ceased to function, spring 22 will continue to function to hold'the cable 17 comparatively taut, allow this cable to pay out as' the bucket 4 moves outwardly and will act to rewind the cable as the bucket 4 is moved inwardly. By the action of spring 22, the cable 17 is maintained comparatively taut whether the bucket 4 is in an outer or an inner position and, consequently, the cable and drum will be properly set for a quick winding movement of the drum through the action of rack 24 and associated parts whereby the bottom 8 will be tripped and the bucket caused to be discharged of its load.

A toothed member 25 is keyed or other wise rigidly secured to shaft 20, said toothed member having any desired number of teeth 26 which bear against bowed flat springs 27 (Figure 11,) said springs in turn bearing against the inwardly extending lugs 28 of a gear ring 29, said gear ring being positioned to mesh with the rack 24 when the rack is moved forwardly on its power stroke.

The toothed member 25 and gear ring 29 in effect present a gear wheel but by reason of the structure described, particularly the spring 27, there is a cushion effect produced betwen the ring and shaft 20. The rack 24 moves out rather quickly when power is turned on and to prevent the sudden blow or sudden twisting action on shaft 20, the spring 27 and associated parts are provided whereby the power will be quigkly, though gradually applied, to the shaft and, consequently, transmitted quickly but gradually to the drum 17. The rack 24 is swung on the shaft 30, which shaft is adapted to slide through the supporting straps 31 and 32.-

At the outer end of shaft 30, a nut 33 is provided for limiting the outward independent movement of the rack 24 while engaging the inner end of rack 24 is a coil spring 34 which also rests against an abutment 35 rigidly secured to shaft 30. The spring 34 acts as an additional cushion when power is turned on to shaft 30 so that the power produced by the thrust of shaft 30 is first cushioned by spring 34 and then by spring 27, though if desired, one or even on an emergency, both of these springs could be eliminated, though a smoother action is produced by using one or both. The shaft 30 receives its power from the piston 36 which is mounted in a when the parts tlve position as cylinder 37, said shaft being preferably loosely fitted into a socket 38 in the piston 36, though if desired, it couldbe rigidly secured in place.

From Figure 8 it will be noted that the cylinder 37 is provided with-a vent cook 39 which registers with an annular groove 40 in the piston 36, said annular groove communicating with suitable apertures 41 whereby any water accumulating in the interior of the piston may readily be drained therefrom are in their inner or inoperashown in Figure 8. To cause the rack 34 and associated parts to function to quickly wind some of the cable 17 on drum 19 for releasing bottom 8, steam is admitted into the cylinder 37 back of the piston 36 and this will quickly force the piston and associated parts outwardly to the dotted posi tion shown in Figure 8. After this has been done and it is desired to again permit the latch 9 to function for locking the bottom 8 closed, the steam is turned off and exhausted from the cylinder 37. As the steam escapes through the exhaust, spring 42 begins to function, said spring atone end being connected to a pin or lock 43 secured to the frame 21 while at the opposite end it is connected to a depending arm 44, said arm at the upper end being bolted or otherwise secured to the rack 24. This spring acts in the double capacity of returning the piston 36 and associated parts and also in holding rack 27 in engagement with or in mesh with the gear ring 29. Sometimes the teeth bf the gear ring 29 are in teeth of the rack 24 the first tooth of the r ck engages one of the teeth of the gear ring as shown in Figure 4 and as the parts move, the rack moves up wardly against the action of the respective spring 45, which springs carry the rollcrs46. The rollers 46 as shown in Figure 5, continually rest on the upper surfaceof the rack 24 and through the springs resiliently hold the rack in its lowered positio As thetrack continues to move, the forward end will position to mesh with the and when this is the case,

strike the cam surface 47 on the respective plates 48 and 49 and these cams will deflect the rack downwardly until it properly meshes with the gear ring 29. As soon as part of the upper surface of therack 24 passes beneath the respective plates 48 and 49, the rack is held positively in proper position and consequently, will rotate the ring and all parts connected therewith. This will give the cable 17 a sudden pull and, consequently, will release the bottom 8.

The steam is admit-ted and exhausted from the cylinder 37 as shown more particularly in Figures 14 and 15. From these figures it will be observed that the end plate 50 of cylinder 37 is provided with axiallyextending bores or apertures 51 and 52 and a radially extending bore 53 registering with bore 52.

- c When the steam is to be turned on to the cylinder, the rod 55 ispulled as hereinafter fully described. The pulling of this rod; moves the balance valve 56 from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 15. This will allow steam from the pipe 57 to freely enter the valve casing 58 and from thence pass through the bore 51 into the cylinder 37. At the same time, some of the steam will pass through the bore 59 in the valve 56 and eventually through the right angle bore 60 in the end of the rod 55 so that there will be an equal pressure of steam on each end of the valve 56. After the desired volume of steam has been admitted, it is usually desired to immediately exhaust the steam and when this takes place, the rod 55 is released so that the spring 61' will quickly return the parts to the position shown in Figure 14 whereupon the steam'will exhaust from cylinder 37 through bore 51 into the reduced portion 62 of valve 56 and from thence into bore 52 and finally out the exhaust bore 53.

' The rod 55 is connected to a cable 62 as shown in Figure 12 and this cable passes over a guide of any desired kind, as for in- Y stance, pulley 63 and is' secured to a lever 64 at 65.. Lever 64 is provided with a grip to any other suitable suppbrt.

66 and is pivotally mounted at 67 on the power control lever 68. The lever 68 is pi"- otally mounted at 69 on a suitable bracket connected to the floor of the housing 2 or T he cable 2 or rod 7 is connected to lever68 so that when this lever is swun steam is turned h) on or it of the cylinder 5 and this action may be, done sin'iultancously with the actuation of lever 64 or independently thereof. When the lever 64 is in the position shown in Figure 13,.the valve 56'isin its closed or inoperativeposition as shown in Figure 14. To shift the valve 56 to the position shown in Figure 15, lever 64 is swung to the dotted position shown in Figure 13 and is held in this position as long as it I is desired that steam shall enter the cylin- (lei-"37. As soon as the lever 64 is released, spring 61' will immediately return or 1'estore the parts to the full line position shown in Figure 13 and the valve 56 to the exhaust position shown in Figure 14. This will permit the cylinders to immediately exhaust and the piston 36 and associated parts in cluding the rack 24, to'return to the position shown in Figure 8 under theaction of spring 42.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a power shovel provided with a bucket having a hinged bottom, a latch for normally locking the bottom closed and a release cable for releasing the latch, of a pivotally mounted lever connected to .one end of said cable, a second cable connecting said lever with said latch, a spring connected with said lever for resiliently holding the same in a given position, power means connected with said cable,

and manually actuated means for causing the power means to function whereby the cable is pulled against the action of said spring for relasing said latch.

2. In a semi-automatic trip for power shovels a tripcable, adrum on which part ofsaidcable is adapted to be wound, a pinion connected with said'driun, a reciprocating rack co acti-ng with the pinion and adapted to rotate the 'pinionwhen reciprocated, steam actuated power means for op eratingsaid rackin one'direction, a spring for. moving the rack in the opposite direction, said spring acting in the double 'capacity of means for holding the rack in meshwith the pinion'and also as means for returning the rack to a given position, and manually controlled means for regulating the admission and exhaust of steam to and from said power means.

. 3. In a semi-automatic trip for power shovels, a winding drum for the trip cable of a shovel, a shaft rigidly secured to said drum, a toothed nfember rigidly secured to said shaft, a gear ring having spaced inwardly extending projections mounted on said toothed member, spring means arranged between the teeth of said toothed member and said projections whereby whenever torsional strain is puton the gear ring in one direction the same will be transmitted through the spring members to the toothed member'and fromthence through the shaft to the drum, areciprocating rack co-acting with said gear ring, and means for causing saidrack to function.

- 4. In a semi-automatic trip for power shovels atripcable drum, means acting as a gear wheel 'connected'with said drum for rotating the same, a spring connected with the drum tending to continue to rotate the drum in a direction to wind a cable on said drum, a reciprocating rack co-acting withsaid gear wheelfor rotating the same to positively pull said cable for tripping purposes and for unwinding the cable after the tripping operation, a shaft connected I with said rack, a piston connected with said shaft, a cylinder co-acting with said piston,

drum, power means for moving the rack fi e one direction, spring means for moving the rack in the opposite direction, and means for guiding the rack into mesh with the gear means, said last mentioned means including yielding members normally holding the rack in a given position for permitting the same to rise in order-to move into proper .mesh at the beginning of the power strokeof the rack.

6. In a semiautomatic trip for power shovels a drum, gear means connected with the drum, a reciprocating rack for operating said gear means, said rack being normally out of engagement with the gear means, power means for moving the rack in one direction, a spring for moving the. rack, in the opposite direction, said rack being swingable away from said, gear means, a resilient guiding structure for guiding the rack into mesh with said 'gear means, and a rigid guide for forcing the rack into mesh with the gear after the rack has moved a predetermined distance.

7. In a semi-automatic trip for power shovels a drum, afgear structure connected with the drum, a rack structure co-acting with the gear structure for actuating the same, power means for moving the rack in one direction, spring means for moving the rack in the opposite direction, said power means including a cylinder, a piston and valve for regulating-the inflow and outflow of pressure fluid, and manually actuated means for moving said valve structure, said manually actuated means including a control lever for controlling the mechanism of the power shovel, said control lever acting as asupport and a hand lever pivotally mounted on the control lever, and flexible means connecting the hand lever with said valve so that when the hand lever is moved individually, the flexible means will be. pulled for shifting the valve.

8. In a semi-automatic trip for power shovels a drum, means for actuating said drum, said. means including a piston and cylinder, a balanced valve for controlling the inflow and outflow of steam tg said cylinder, a spring acting to normally hold the valve in an exhaust position, a cable connected with said valve, a swinging lever 1 connected with the power'mechanism of the shovel for controlling the same, a hand lever mounted on the power lever and' swingable independently thereof, means for guiding said cable, said cable at one end being connected with said hand lever whereby when the 'hand lever is actuated independent of 9. In a semi-automatic trip for power shovels a drum, a gear structure connected with the drum, a reciprocating rack co-acting with the gear structure, a shaft carrying said rackand loosely connected therewith, an abutment at one end of the shaft for limiting the independent movement of the rack in one direction, a spring surrounding said shaft at the opposite end of the rack,

said spring bearing against said opposite end, an abutment carried by said shaft and acting on said spring for compressing the spring when the shaft is moved so that the first thrust on the shaft will be taken up by the spring and then communicated to the rack for moving the rack, power means for moving said shaft and parts associated therewith in one direction, and a spring for movlng the rack and associated parts in a reverse direction.

' GEORGE G. MORIN. 

